Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

324 CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE

Practical & Travel Information

THE CLIMATE OF

SLOVAKIA

Slovakia has a continental

climate with fairly hot

summers and cold win-

ters. Temperatures in

summer, between June

and August, can reach

20° C (68° F), and fall

to -2° C (28° F) in winter,

between November and

February. Spring and

autumn usually experi-

ence pleasant and

mild weather.

BRATISLAVA

23 /73

16 /61 15 /59

monthApr Jul OctJan

-3/27

7

hrs

9

hrs

5

hrs

2

hrs

42

mm

73

mm

54

mm

43

mm

6 /43

16 /61

7 /45

2 /36

WHEN TO VISIT

Slovakia can be visited
throughout the year. Spring
and autumn are a good time
for nature enthusiasts to visit –
ideal for moun tain hikes, bike
tours and cave exploration.
Summertime is excellent for
swimming in the numerous
pools and bathing centres,
and indulging in water sports
on its many artificial lakes.
In win ter, Slovakia tempts
visitors with its excel lent ski
slopes as well as more unusual
attractions such as swimming
in outdoor thermal pools.

DOCUMENTATION

Nationals of EU countries may
enter Slovakia on pre senting a
valid pass port or ID card, but
if they intend to stay in the
coun try for more than 90 days,
they are required to report to
the police and apply for a
resident’s permit. Australian,
New Zealand, US, Canadian
and Japanese citizens can stay
in the country without a visa
for a period of 90 days.
Foreigners entering the
country have to carry ¤50,
or the equivalent in any
convertible currency, in the
form of traveller’s cheques,

cash or credit cards, for each

day of their intended stay

(children up to the age of

16 need half this amount).

This rule is, however, applied

to EU citizens only in excep-

tional circumstances. The sum

may be reduced on presen-

tation of documents confirming

advance payment for some

services, such as hotel book-

ings or car hire.

Customs regulations do not

apply to visitors from within

the EU as long as they stay

within the EU guidelines for

personal use.

Slovakia is a visitor-friendly destination. Numerous
historic sights, good roads, efficient internal transport,
tasty local food and a wide choice of accommodation
options have contributed to the steadily growing num-
ber of visitors to the country. A good network of tourist
information offices, found in almost every town and
village, also helps to provide invaluable information
and assistance to travellers.

VISITOR INFORMATION

Local tourist information

centres provide details on

accommodation and the

region’s attractions, as well as

popular cultural and sporting

events. The most reliable

information can be obtained

from the Asociácia

Informačných Centier

Slovenska (AICES) affiliated

offices. Many places also

have their own infor mation

centres providing similar

services. These may also sell

parking permits and local dis-

count cards to tour ists and

exchange foreign cur rency. In

some of these centres

HEALTH AND SECURITY

In emergencies and life-

threatening situations, EU

nationals with an EHIC

(European Health Insurance

Card) are entitled to free

medical treatment, but in all

other cases, hospitalization

or medi cal help has to be

paid for. Lekareň (pharmacies)

can be found in all towns and

villages and are open from

8am to 6pm. Large towns also

have 24-hour phar macies.

Visitors to Slovakia do not

require any immunizations or

vaccinations. Drinking water

is safe but mineral water is

also widely available.

In Slovakia, crime directed

at visitors remains relatively

rare. Slovaks would usually

prefer to resolve disagree-

ments by way of negotiation

rather than open confrontation.

The best way for visitors to

protect them selves against

losing docu ments, cash or

other valuables is for them to

take a few basic pre cautions,

particularly in crowded places.

(although very few) it is

even possible to book

acco mmo dation. The

Bratislavská Informačná

Služba (BIS) in Bratislava

is specifically set up to help

visitors, pro viding maps

and booking infor mation.

However, almost none

of the maps, guidebooks

and infor mation brochures

that can be obtained from

tourist infor mation offices

are free of charge; the best

visitors can hope to be given

for free are a few pamphlets.

Tourist informa tion

offices are usually open

from 9am to 5pm, although

some of them close for

an hour at lunchtime. On

Saturdays many offices close

at 1pm, and many remain

closed on Sundays. The

staff usually speak English

and German.

FACILITIES FOR

THE DISABLED

Facilities for the disabled

are limited in Slovakia,

although buildings are

gradually being adapted to

their needs. Most trains have

°C/F

0°C

32°F